London for Associations

Why choose London for association events

London is a world class destination that thrives on its unique mix of traditions, culture and new, modern innovations and creativity.

This eclectic mix is reflected in the city’s exceptional vibrant event spaces, capable of delivering extraordinary platforms for visitors and delegates alike and providing the perfect backdrop for association events held in London.

Meet the associations and bids team

 Let our team help you!   

Reach out to our team who will be pleased to assist you with your questions or enquiries. 

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  Suzanne Singleton

  Head of Associations and Citywide Bids
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  Suzanne Singleton

  As the Head of Associations, Suzanne leads on bringing international association congresses to London. Working with key stakeholders and suppliers, Suzanne and her team build the London proposition that secures and maintains London's position as one of the top 10 global destinations to host international association congresses.

  Suzanne works closely with the key London venues, global hotel groups and service providers to create, develop and maintain a strong pipeline of international association events coming to London.

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  Serena Tallarico

  Senior Business Development Manager, Research & Bids
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  Serena Tallarico

  As a member of the Convention Bureau team since 2012, Serena specialises in bidding for major international associations and corporate events.

  Her role encompasses strategic business development and research; while her well-established relationships working closely with hotels, venues and service providers across London means she has a wealth of knowledge and experience in unlocking the city for our clients.

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  Lauren Godward

  Business Development Manager, Association Congresses
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  Lauren Godward

  Lauren brings more than 15 years’ experience in the hospitality and business events industry. She joined the Associations team in 2025, supporting efforts to research, engage local stakeholders, and coordinate the bid process for attracting numerous high-profile international association congresses to London.

  Prior to this, Lauren represented several international convention bureaus, leading sales and marketing activities across Europe.

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  Chloe Bailey

  Bid Executive, Association Events
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  Chloe Bailey

  After Chloe graduated from university in 2022, she gained experience within the events sales team at Excel London. This led her to her current role within the London Convention Bureau, where she supports the Associations team in bidding for large association events as well as handling many smaller association enquiries.

  Chloe specialises in managing multiple room blocks and city-wide accommodation searches to support international bids, and works closely with the London hotel community to secure the rooms needed to when bidding for large-scale congresses.

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How we can help

Our team offers free and impartial advice to help you find the very best solutions for your congress.

We can help you with:

Service providers

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  2B UK

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  2B UK

  2B UK is a DMC that specialises in high-end incentive groups, full service meetings, conferences, congresses, product launches, team building, complex ground logistics and one off specialist events. It builds high quality programmes that deliver excellence and value for money.  

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  BCD Meetings and Events

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  BCD Meetings and Events

  BCD Meetings and Events is a full-service agency that supports incentives and large-scale international conferences. It specialises in live production and event management, and its team of specialists can help with logistics, creative content and attendee support. Its housing management service allows you to find the best possible accommodation rates for your delegates and visitors.  

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  bnetwork

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  bnetwork

  bnetwork is an accommodation management company for business-to-business events in London. It specialises in managing large room allotments and hotel arrangements for large-scale congresses, exhibitions, conferences and conventions.

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  Congrex Switzerland

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  Congrex Switzerland

  Congrex Switzerland specialises in organising large medical and scientific association conferences in Europe. It offers tailored solutions for conference registration and hotel management, as well as association management, strategic marketing and communication support. 

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  K.I.T Group

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  K.I.T Group

  K.I.T Group is a Berlin-based event management company company that specialises in planning and strategy, registration, hotel accommodation, marketing, sustainability, exhibition and sponsorship, digital conference management, programme and content development and much more.

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  MCI UK

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  MCI UK

  MCI UK specialises in meeting and event management, professional congress organisation and association management and consulting. It's a London-based company with a global presence, and can provide bespoke, local solutions for large-scale events in the capital.

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  Principal

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  Principal

  Principal. London is an award-winning, specialist destination management company with roots in London but servicing clients across the UK. Its key services include accommodation, transport, logistics, event staffing, multilingual guides, tours and event management.

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  Spectra

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  Spectra

  Spectra has been providing DMC services to the international corporate travel and meetings industry since the 1960s. It aims to deliver creative solutions rather than off-the-shelf products and prides itself on its in-depth knowledge of UK venues and attention to detail. 

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  TFI Lodestar

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  TFI Lodestar

  TFI Lodestar partners with international and national associations, government agencies and trade organisations for large-scale conferences. Its services include legal and financial management, general consultancy, commercial relationship-building, accommodation reservations, event logistics, and venue and third party supplier negotiations and management.

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  Worldspan

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  Worldspan

  Worldspan is a full-service event management agency that works with national and international associations, societies, government, not-for-profits and corporate brands. It's delivered more than 6,000 events since 1972, and provides a start to finish solution that supports everything from registration and delegate management to venue sourcing and sponsorship.

Large-scale venues

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  Excel London

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  Excel London

  With capacity for 30,000 people across dozens of flexible spaces and six on-site hotels, Excel London is one the capital's largest and most versatile events venues. London's International Convention Centre (ICC London Excel) is integrated with the venue and is home to the UK's largest auditorium (capacity for 5,000). Excel London has onsite parking, easy access to the Underground and is minutes away from London City Airport. 
  

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  QEII Centre

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  QEII Centre

  Within a minute walk of several major rail hubs, the QEII Centre is capable of hosting anything from a small meeting to an international summit across dozens of different event spaces, with capacity for up to 2,500. It's in-house AV and catering teams are on hand  to make your event a triumph. 

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  Olympia

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  Olympia

  With a history that dates back over 140 years and striking Victorian architecture, Olympia is a vast exhibition venue, conference centre and event space with capacity for up to 10,000 in its largest room. In-house catering and technical support is available.

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  Barbican Centre

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  Barbican Centre

  Europe's largest purpose-built not-for-profit, the Barbican Centre is home to a variety of event spaces, with capacity for up to 2,000 guests in its largest room, the Barbican Hall. The venue is fully accessible and offers a full range of catering facilities. 

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  Central Hall Westminster

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  Central Hall Westminster

  Built in 1912 and located opposite Westminster Abbey, the historic Central Hall Westminster is one of Europe's largest conference venues. It has exhibition spaces with capacity for up to 1,000 people, and an auditorium capable of hosting 2,000 guests. All rooms have high ceilings, large windows and state-of-the-art tech.   

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  Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

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  Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge

  Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London is home to a real range of events spaces for hire, including a 2,000 capacity, pillar-free ballroom, layered conference floors and more intimate boardrooms. There's coach parking, a number of dining options and more than 1,000 guest rooms and suites. 

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  Hilton London Metropole

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  Hilton London Metropole

  Just 10 minutes from Oxford Street and 15 minutes from Heathrow Airport (via the Heathrow Express), the Hilton London Metropole has more than 35 conference spaces, including a reception room for 1,500. The hotel has 1,100 guest rooms and suites and 24-hour room service.

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  Novotel London West

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  Novotel London West

  Novotel London West is a hotel and conference centre that offers easy access to both Heathrow Airport and central London. It has a range of large-scale event spaces for hire, including pillar-free suites that can accommodate up to 2,000. The hotel has 630 rooms, two restaurants and a bar terrace. 
  

   

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  InterContinental London - The O2

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  InterContinental London - The O2

  Located in Greenwich, the InterContinental London - The O2 has two pillar-free ballrooms with capacity for 3,100 people, as well as 34 meeting rooms and executive boardrooms. The in-house AV team are on hand to provide technical support for your events and there's a 24-hour on-site business centre. 

Medical and life sciences meetings in London

London is the destination of choice for global life science research and development, with an unrivalled ecosystem of world-class universities, global pharmaceuticals companies and health research institutes.

• Three of the top 15 global universities for clinical and health research.
• First in Europe for phase one trials initiated in 2024-2025.
• Eight leading life sciences research institutes.

London provides a worthy backdrop and has a proven track record of hosting some of the world's most renowned medical congresses, a testament to the thriving global life sciences and medical innovation sector.

Take a look at some of London’s credentials:

• London is home to several of the world’s top universities for healthcare, including Imperial and University College London.
• Major pharmaceutical companies are headquartered in London, including GSK, AstraZeneca, Smith & Nephew, LivaNova and Vitality, as well as more than 2,500 life sciences startups.
• It is a major magnet for biotech and health investments.
• The city is home to more than 35 renowned biomedical research institutions, including the Francis Crick Institute and the Institute of Cancer Research.
• London has a thriving ecosystem of clinical research centres and teaching hospitals, such as UCLH, Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Imperial College Healthcare.

With this rich ecosystem, it is no surprise that London can offer an unparalleled range of venues, each fully equipped and compliant for the needs of medical and life sciences meetings and congresses. Many venues hold certifications and comply with the Healthcare Venues programme, which means their suitability is evaluated using the Venue Compliance Index, aligned with industry codes such as the ABPI and MHRA.

This strong foundation of compliance and sector-specific expertise is reflected in standout venues across the city. From historic institutions to cutting-edge academic campuses and purpose-built conference centres, London offers a diverse portfolio of spaces, including existing medical institutions:

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  Apothecaries' Hall

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  Apothecaries' Hall

  Dating from the 1600s, Apothecaries' Hall is the one of the oldest Livery Halls in the City. It offers four spaces for events each filled with its own history and unique artifacts. 

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  BMA House

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  BMA House

  The home of the British Medical Association since 1925, BMA House can host conferences for up to 300 delegates.

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  The Royal College of Physicians

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  The Royal College of Physicians

  The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is the oldest English medical institution in England, having hosted medical events for 500 years. 

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  Imperial venues

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  Imperial venues

  Imperial is one of London’s largest academic venues, offering more than 200 flexible event spaces across the capital. 

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  Royal College of Surgeons

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  Royal College of Surgeons

  The Royal College of Surgeons is a leading medical academic institutions that promotes the advancement and development of medical care.

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  Wellcome Collection

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  Wellcome Collection

  Wellcome Collection, established by Wellcome, is an independent charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health.

London’s medical ecosystem explained:

An exceptional healthcare system: outstanding specialist clinical services provided by world-renowned hospitals to a diverse population make London a prime location for clinical trials and the development of new treatments and technologies. The National Health Service (NHS) is also a major buyer of goods and services. In London, you can find:

• More specialist hospitals and services than anywhere else in Europe.
• 37 biomedical, clinical, and medtech research centres.
• One of the most diverse cities in Europe, with 46% of the population identifying as Black, Asian, Mixed or Other ethnic groups.
• Seven specialist hospitals.

A tapestry of collaboration: alongside medical innovation, London is a hub for AI, finance, sustainability and creative industries; parallel disciplines which connect with life sciences in London to drive new and creative future healthcare technologies. Some examples of this unique ecosystem include:

• £16m joint funding to support UK-Swiss clinical trials.
• Seven innovation districts bring together researchers from life sciences and beyond.
• The Francis Crick Institute is Europe's largest biomedical research facility, with collaborative funding and a cross-disciplinary remit to explore biology at all levels.

MedCity

The London life sciences ecosystem is strongly supported through MedCity, part of the London & Partners portfolio. MedCity builds on the collaboration between the Mayor of London and the London health science centres of Imperial College London, King's College London and University College London, which together form the London part of the "golden triangle" with Oxford and Cambridge.

MedCity works to promote London’s life sciences globally, highlighting its strengths, engaging policymakers and attracting top talent and investment, as well as helping life sciences companies set up, grow and succeed in London. Offering expert insights, strong networks, and practical support to navigate a world-class ecosystem, whether in diagnostics, digital health, advanced therapies or data-driven innovation.

Learn more about MedCity.